Residents are encouraged to submit nominations for the City of Toronto's 2017 Access, Equity and Human Rights (AEHR) Awards – the City's highest honour to recognize people or programs that have made a difference in Toronto by working to eliminate discrimination and break down barriers to equality.

"We want to celebrate the residents and services that are helping to build an inclusive city," said Mayor John Tory. "I encourage Torontonians to submit worthy nominations for these awards."

Nominees must be Toronto residents, groups or programs. It is easy to submit a nomination with both online and mail-in options. More information, including past recipients, is available at http://toronto.ca/civicawards. The deadline for nominations is Thursday, August 31 at 4 p.m.

Nominations are made by the public and recipients are selected by a panel of community members with expertise and knowledge of issues pertinent to the awards. Recipients will be announced in the fall and an awards ceremony will take place at City Hall in December.